Will Hodgman

Premier of Tasmania

9 May 2015

Michael Ferguson,
Minister for Information Technology and Innovation

Tourists and businesses to benefit from 50 new free Wi-Fi hotspots

The
Hodgman Liberal Government’s $500,000 investment in free Wi-Fi will enhance the
tourist experience in approximately 50 locations across Tasmania.

We
allocated $500,000 in last year’s budget for the Wi-Fi rollout which will boost
the visitor experience and give tourists the opportunity to create and share
their experience of Tasmania online.

It
will support local communities by allowing local businesses to provide online
information about attractions and opportunities in the area directly to
tourists while they are in the region. Encouraging Tasmanian businesses to
capitalise on the digital economy is a key part of the Government’s information
technology strategy.

A
Request for Proposals (RFP) has been released today seeking a single operator
to build, operate and maintain wireless broadband network(s) using Wi-Fi
Technology in approximately 50 locations around the state.

Indicative
proposed locations have been included in the RFP to allow potential providers
to make an informed assessment of how they would establish the network and
ensure its ongoing support and maintenance. The final decision on the areas
that receive services under this project will be dependent on the proposals provided
by the respondents. The list of locations will be finalised in further
consultation with the tourism industry and the successful proponent.

The
indicative proposed locations listed in the RFP include high profile tourism
destinations, points of entry and areas nominated by the state’s four Regional
Tourism Organisations.